US to review force presence in Europe as NATO spending pressure intensifies
The Pentagon will review the US force presence in Europe within the next six months, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO defence ministers in Brussels. He linked the move to Washington's demand that allies move faster on defence spending and take more responsibility for Europe's security. He also said US dues to NATO's organisational running costs would depend on whether allies meet spending targets.
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Mr Hegseth said the review would be a "real review" and that some countries would "fail" while others would "pass with flying colours". He said the aim was to ensure NATO was moving "fast and irreversibly" towards Europe leading its own defence, while US access, basing and overflight arrangements were clearly guaranteed. He also criticised restrictions imposed by some European countries on US forces during the Iran war, calling them "shameful".
The comments come as allies prepare for a NATO summit next month and as the alliance faces renewed pressure over burden-sharing. The Pentagon chief said Washington's annual contribution to NATO's running costs, which he put at roughly $790 million in 2026, would be "contingent" on allies reaching spending targets. He also said President Donald Trump had tested allies by asking for support during the Iran conflict and that too many had failed to respond as Washington expected.
The issue is significant because the US military presence has long underpinned NATO's deterrence posture in Europe. Any review of that footprint could affect how the alliance plans for conventional defence, especially if Washington decides to alter troop levels or deployments. It also adds to pressure on European governments to show they can fund more of their own security and meet commitments made last year to raise defence spending.
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The Brussels meeting has already become a focal point for those tensions. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged members to bring "clear, concrete and credible plans" for higher military budgets, while some allies are still finalising their own spending plans. The debate is unfolding against a backdrop of concern in European capitals about how far the United States will continue to anchor the continent's defence.
What remains unclear is how the Pentagon will judge individual allies, whether the review will lead to changes in troop numbers or basing, and how quickly conclusions will be drawn. It is also not yet clear how allies will respond before the summit or whether the spending dispute will deepen further. The next key point to watch is whether NATO members can narrow their differences before leaders meet next month.
Pete Hegseth has told NATO allies the Pentagon will review the US military presence in Europe within six months, linking future American contributions more closely to how quickly allies raise defence spending. The warning came during a defence ministers' meeting in Brussels, where the alliance is under pressure to present clearer plans before a summit on 7 July. The comments add fresh strain to an already tense debate over burden-sharing inside the 32-member alliance.
The review was announced alongside criticism of some allies that, in Mr Hegseth's words, have yet to show a credible path to higher defence spending. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged members to bring "clear, concrete and credible plans" for increasing military budgets, while the UK arrived at the same meeting without its long-delayed defence investment plan. UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis described the gathering as a "moment of challenge" and said the talks were important for support to Ukraine.
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The issue matters because the US military footprint has long been central to NATO's deterrence posture in Europe. Any reassessment of that presence could affect how the alliance plans for conventional defence and how quickly it can respond to threats on the continent. It also comes as European governments face pressure to spend more on their own security and to show they can shoulder a larger share of the burden.
The Brussels meeting has become a focal point for those tensions. Mr Jarvis arrived without the UK's long-term military spending plan, which had already been delayed, and his predecessor John Healey had warned it fell short of what was needed. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, has also warned that the armed forces may have to "dial back" training and operations if more money is not found.
The wider backdrop is a NATO alliance trying to reconcile stronger European defence ambitions with continued reliance on US capabilities. The row over spending comes ahead of the July summit, where allies are expected to face renewed scrutiny over whether their plans are credible and timely. The US review also signals that Washington may use its force posture in Europe as leverage in that debate.
What remains unclear is how the Pentagon will judge individual allies, whether the review will lead to changes in troop levels or deployments, and how quickly any conclusions will be drawn. It is also not yet clear whether the UK will publish its investment plan before the summit or whether other allies will respond with new pledges. The next key point to watch is whether the spending dispute deepens or whether ministers can narrow the gap before July.
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